The mechanisms underlying Li+/Mg2+ separation in ZIF-8 under an electric field from atomistic simulations.

In this study, we explore the mass transfer and separation mechanism of Li+ and Mg2+ confined within the flexible nanoporous zeolite imidazolate framework ZIF-8 under the influence of an electric field, employing molecular dynamics simulation. Our results highlight that the electric field accelerates the dehydration process of ions and underscore the critical importance of ZIF-8 framework flexibility in determining the separation selectivity of the ZIF-8 membrane. The electric field is shown to diminish ion hydration in the confined space of ZIF-8, notably disrupting the orientation of water molecules in the first hydration shells of ions, leading to an asymmetrical ionic hydration structure characterized by the uniform alignment of water dipoles. Furthermore, despite the geometrical constraints imposed by the ZIF-8 framework, the electric field significantly enhances ionic mobility. Notably, the less stable hydration shell of Li+ facilitates its rapid, dehydration-induced transit through ZIF-8 nanopores, unlike Mg2+, whose stable hydration shell impedes dehydration. Further investigation into the structural characteristics of the six-ring windows traversed by Li+ and Mg2+ ions reveals distinct mechanisms of passage: for Mg2+ ions, significant window expansion is necessary, while for Li+ ions, the mechanism involves both window expansion and partial dehydration. These findings reveal the profound impact of the electric field and framework flexibility on the separation of Li+ and Mg2+, offering critical insights for the potential application of flexible nanoporous materials in the selective extraction of Li+ from salt-lake brine.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Ergasilus anchoratus Markevich, 1946 (Ergasilidae) and phylogeny of Copepoda.

The mitochondrial (mt) genome can provide data for phylogenetic analyses and evolutionary biology. Herein, we sequenced and annotated the complete mt genome of Ergasilus anchoratus. This mt genome was 13852 bp long and comprised 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs and 2 rRNAs. All PCGs used the standard ATN start codons and complete TAA/TAG termination codons. A majority of tRNA genes exhibited standard cloverleaf secondary structures, with the exception of one tRNA that lacked the TψC arm (trnC), and three tRNAs that lacked the DHU arm (trnR, trnS1 and trnS2). Phylogenetic analyses conducted using Bayesian inference (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) methods both supported Ergasilidae as a monophyletic family forming a sister group to Lernaea cyprinacea and Paracyclopina nana. It also supported the monophyly of orders Calanoida, Cyclopoida, and Siphonostomatoida; and the monophyly of families Harpacticidae, Ergasilidae, Diaptomidae, and Calanidae. The gene orders of E. anchoratus and Sinergasilus undulatus were identical, which represents the first instance of two identical gene orders in copepods. More mt genomes are needed to better understand the phylogenetic relationships within Copepoda in the future.

Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Rebound After Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir Treatment in Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials - United States and International Sites, 2021-2022.

Rebound of SARS-CoV-2 shedding or COVID-19 signs and symptoms has been described after treatment with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid). The direct association of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir to COVID-19 rebound remains unclear because most reports are based on individual cases or nonrandomized studies. Viral RNA shedding data from two phase 2/3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Evaluation of Protease Inhibition for COVID-19 in High-Risk Patients [EPIC-HR] and Evaluation of Protease Inhibition for COVID-19 in Standard-Risk Patients [EPIC-SR]) were analyzed to investigate the role of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment in COVID-19 rebound. Rates of rebound of SARS-CoV-2 RNA shedding, identified based on an increase in nasopharyngeal viral RNA levels from day 5 (end-of-treatment) to day 10 or day 14, were similar between nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and placebo recipients. Among subjects with a virologic response through day 5, viral RNA rebound occurred in 6.4%-8.4% of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir recipients and 5.9%-6.5% of placebo recipients across EPIC-HR and the 2021/pre-Omicron and 2022/Omicron enrollment periods of EPIC-SR. Viral RNA rebound after nirmatrelvir/ritonavir treatment was not associated with COVID-19-related hospitalization or death. Data from randomized trials demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 rebound can occur with or without antiviral treatment, supporting the Food and Drug Administration's determination of safety and efficacy of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in eligible patients at high risk for severe COVID-19.

Postoperative blood glucose increase is associated with futile recanalization in patients with successful thrombectomy: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Timely recognition of futile recanalization might enable a prompt response and an improved outcome in post-thrombectomy patients. This study aims to evaluate whether postoperative blood glucose increase (BGI) could act as an indicator of futile recanalization in patients receiving a successful thrombectomy. METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective analysis of patients with anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion and successful thrombectomy between February 2019 and June 2022. BGI was defined as a higher level of blood glucose at the first postoperative morning than at admission. Futile recanalization was defined as patients with a modified Rankin Scale score of 3-6 at 90 days after onset. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to assess the association of BGI with futile recanalization. RESULTS: A total of 276 patients were enrolled, amongst which 120 patients (43.5%) had BGI. Futile recanalization was more prevalent among patients with BGI compared to those without (70.0 vs. 49.4%, P = 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, BGI was associated with a higher likelihood of futile recanalization (adjusted OR: 2.97, 95%CI: 1.50-5.86, P = 0.002). This association was consistently observed regardless of diabetes history, occlusion site, time from symptom onset to groin puncture, or reperfusion status. CONCLUSION: Our findings support BGI serving as an indicator of futile recanalization in patients with anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion and successful thrombectomy.

PRDX1 negatively regulates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and lung fibroblast proliferation in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis is a major category of end-stage changes in lung diseases, characterized by lung epithelial cell damage, proliferation of fibroblasts, and accumulation of extracellular matrix. Peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1), a member of the peroxiredoxin protein family, participates in the regulation of the levels of reactive oxygen species in cells and various other physiological activities, as well as the occurrence and development of diseases by functioning as a chaperonin. METHODS: Experimental methods including MTT assay, morphological observation of fibrosis, wound healing assay, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, ELISA, western blot, transcriptome sequencing, and histopathological analysis were used in this study. RESULTS: PRDX1 knockdown increased ROS levels in lung epithelial cells and promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through the PI3K/Akt and JNK/Smad signalling pathways. PRDX1 knockout significantly increased TGF-ß secretion, ROS production, and cell migration in primary lung fibroblasts. PRDX1 deficiency also increased cell proliferation, cell cycle circulation, and fibrosis progression through the PI3K/Akt and JNK/Smad signalling pathways. BLM treatment induced more severe pulmonary fibrosis in PRDX1-knockout mice, mainly through the PI3K/Akt and JNK/Smad signalling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings strongly suggest that PRDX1 is a key molecule in BLM-induced lung fibrosis progression and acts through modulating EMT and lung fibroblast proliferation; therefore, it may be a therapeutic target for the treatment of BLM-induced lung fibrosis.

An engineered abcb4 expression model reveals the central role of NF-κB in the regulation of drug resistance in zebrafish.

Multi-drug resistance (MDR) is a phenomenon that tumor cells are exposed to a chemotherapeutic drug for a long time and then develop resistance to a variety of other anticancer drugs with different structures and different mechanisms. The in vitro studies of tumor cell lines cannot systematically reflect the role of MDR gene in vivo, and the cost of in vivo studies of transgenic mice as animal models is high. Given the myriad merits of zebrafish relative to other animal models, we aimed to establish a screening system using zebrafish stably expressing ATP-binding cassette (ATP-cassette) superfamily transporters and unveil the potential regulatory mechanism. We first used the Tol2-mediated approach to construct a Tg (abcb4:EGFP) transgenic zebrafish line with ATP-binding cassette (ABC) subfamily B member 4 (abcb4) gene promoter to drive EGFP expression. The expression levels of abcb4 and EGFP were significantly increased when Tg(abcb4:EGFP) transgenic zebrafish embryos were exposed to doxorubicin (DOX) or vincristine (VCR), and the increases were accompanied by a marked decreased accumulation of rhodamine B (RhB) in embryos, indicating a remarkable increase in DOX or VCR efflux. Mechanistically, Akt and Erk signalings were activated upon the treatment with DOX or VCR. With the application of Akt and Erk inhibitors, drug resistance was reversed with differing responsive effects. Notably, downstream NF-κB played a central role in the regulation of abcb4-mediated drug resistance. Taken together, the data indicate that the engineered Tg(abcb4:EGFP) transgenic zebrafish model is a new platform for screening drug resistance in vivo, which may facilitate and accelerate the process of drug development.

Pterostilbene pre-treatment reduces LPS-induced acute lung injury through activating NR4A1.

CONTEXT: Pterostilbene (PTE), a common polyphenol compound, exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in many diseases, including acute lung injury (ALI). OBJECTIVE: This study explores the potential mechanism of PTE pre-treatment against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, ALI, 10 mg/kg PTE + LPS, 20 mg/kg PTE + LPS, and 40 mg/kg PTE + LPS groups. At 24 h before LPS instillation, PTE was administered orally. At 2 h before LPS instillation, PTE was again administered orally. After 24 h of LPS treatment, the rats were euthanized. The levels of inflammatory cells and inflammatory factors in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the expression of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1), and the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway-related protein levels were detected. NR4A1 agonist was used to further investigate the mechanism of PTE pre-treatment. RESULTS: After PTE pre-treatment, the LPS induced inflammation was controlled and the survival rate was increased to 100% from 70% after LPS treatment 24 h. For lung injury score, it decreased to 1.5 from 3.5 after treating 40 mg/kg PTE. Compared with the control group, the expression of NR4A1 in the ALI group was decreased by 20-40%. However, the 40 mg/kg PTE pre-treatment increased the NR4A1 expression by 20-40% in the lung tissue. The results obtained with pre-treatment NR4A1 agonist were similar to those obtained by pre-treatment 40 mg/kg PTE. CONCLUSIONS: PTE pre-treatment might represent an appropriate therapeutic target and strategy for preventing ALI induced by LPS.

Construction of Decision Trees Based on Gene Expression Omnibus Data to Classify Bladder Cancer and Its Subtypes.

BACKGROUND Bladder cancer is a malignant tumor of the genitourinary system. Different subtypes of bladder cancer have different treatment methods and prognoses. Therefore, identifying hub genes affecting other genes is of great significance for the treatment of bladder cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS We obtained expression profiles from the GSE13507 and GSE77952 datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. First, principal component analysis was used to identify the difference in gene expression in different types of tissues. Differential expression analysis was used to find the differentially expressed genes between normal and tumor tissues, and between tumors with and without muscle infiltration. Further, based on differentially expressed genes, we constructed 2 decision trees for differentiating between tumor and normal tissues, and between muscle-infiltrating and non-muscle-infiltrating tumor tissues. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the prediction effect of the decision trees. RESULTS FAM107A and C8orf4 showed significantly lower expression in bladder cancer tissues than in normal tissues. Regarding muscle infiltration, CTHRC1 showed lower expression and HMGCS2 showed higher expression in non-muscle-infiltrating samples than in those with muscle infiltration. We constructed 2 decision trees for differentiating between tumor and normal tissue, and between tissues with and without muscle infiltration. Both decision trees showed good prediction results. CONCLUSIONS These newly discovered hub genes will be helpful in understanding the occurrence and development of different subtypes of bladder cancer, and will provide new therapeutic targets and biomarkers for bladder cancer.

Antimicrobial peptide AR-23 derivatives with high endosomal disrupting ability enhance poly(l-lysine)-mediated gene transfer.

BACKGROUND: pH-sensitive peptides are a relatively new strategy for conquering the poor endosomal release of cationic polymer-mediated transfection. Modification of antimicrobial peptides by exchanging positively-charged residues with negatively-charged glutamic acid residues (Glu) greatly improves its lytic activity at the endosomal pH, which could improve cationic polymer-mediated transfection. METHODS: In the present study, we investigated the effect of the number of Glu substituted for positively-charged residues on the endosomal escape activity of AR-23 and the ability of mutated AR-23 with respect to enhancing cationic polymer-mediated transfection. Three analogs were synthesized by replacing the positively-charged residues in the AR-23 sequence with Glu one-by-one. RESULTS: The pH-sensitive lysis ability of the peptides, the effect of peptides on the physicochemical characteristics, the intracellular trafficking, the transfection efficiency and the cytotoxicity of the polyplexes were determined. Increased lytic activity of peptides was observed with the increased number of Glu replacement in the AR-23 sequence at acidic pH. The number of Glu substituted for positively-charged residues of AR-23 dramatically affects its lysis ability at neutral pH. Triple-Glu substitution in the AR-23 sequence greatly improved poly(l-lysine)-mediated gene transfection efficiency at the same time as maintaining low cytotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that replacement of positively-charged residues with sufficient Glu residues may be considered as a method for designing pH-sensitive peptides, which could be applied as potential enhancers for improving cationic polymer-mediated transfection.

Single-cell transcriptome sequencing of rumen ciliates provides insight into their molecular adaptations to the anaerobic and carbohydrate-rich rumen microenvironment.

Rumen ciliates are a specialized group of ciliates exclusively found in the anaerobic, carbohydrate-rich rumen microenvironment. However, the molecular and mechanistic basis of the physiological and behavioral adaptation of ciliates to the rumen microenvironment is undefined. We used single-cell transcriptome sequencing to explore the adaptive evolution of three rumen ciliates: two entodiniomorphids, Entodinium furca and Diplodinium dentatum; and one vestibuliferid, Isotricha intestinalis. We found that all three species are members of monophyletic orders within the class Litostomatea, with E. furca and D. dentatum in Entodiniomorphida and I. intestinalis in Vestibuliferida. The two entodiniomorphids might use H2-producing mitochondria and the vestibuliferid might use anaerobic mitochondria to survive under strictly anaerobic conditions. Moreover, carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) genes were identified in all three species, including cellulases, hemicellulases, and pectinases. The evidence that all three species have acquired prokaryote-derived genes by horizontal gene transfer (HGT) to digest plant biomass includes a significant enrichment of gene ontology categories such as cell wall macromolecule catabolic process and carbohydrate catabolic process and the identification of genes in common between CAZyme and HGT groups. These findings suggest that HGT might be an important mechanism in the adaptive evolution of ciliates to the rumen microenvironment.

Excessive gestational weight gain in the first trimester is associated with risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective study from Southwest China.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of gestational weight gain (GWG) in the first trimester (GWG-F) and the rate of gestational weight gain in the second trimester (RGWG-S) on gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), exploring the optimal GWG ranges for the avoidance of GDM in Chinese women. DESIGN: A population-based prospective study was conducted. Gestational weight was measured regularly in every antenatal visit and assessed by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) criteria (2009). GDM was assessed with the 75-g, 2-h oral glucose tolerance test at 24-28 weeks of gestation. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the effects of GWG-F and RGWG-S on GDM, stratified by pre-pregnancy BMI. In each BMI category, the GWG values corresponding to the lowest prevalence of GDM were defined as the optimal GWG range. SETTING: Southwest China. PARTICIPANTS: Pregnant women (n 1910) in 2017. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, GWG-F above IOM recommendations increased the risk of GDM (OR; 95 % CI) among underweight (2·500; 1·106, 5·655), normal-weight (1·396; 1·023, 1·906) and overweight/obese women (3·017; 1·118, 8·138) compared with women within IOM recommendations. No significant difference was observed between RGWG-S and GDM (P > 0·05) after adjusting for GWG-F based on the previous model. The optimal GWG-F ranges for the avoidance of GDM were 0·8-1·2, 0·8-1·2 and 0·35-0·70 kg for underweight, normal-weight and overweight/obese women, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Excessive GWG in the first trimester, rather than the second trimester, is associated with increased risk of GDM regardless of pre-pregnancy BMI. Obstetricians should provide more pre-emptive guidance in achieving adequate GWG-F.

[A Prospective Study of the Relationship Between Dietary Patterns during the Second Trimester of Pregnancy and Gestational Weight Gain].

OBJECTIVE: To study dietary patterns during the second trimester of pregnancy and to investigate the relationship between dietary patterns and gestational weight gain (GWG). METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted to select healthy singleton pregnant women at 8-14 weeks of gestation in a maternal and child health care institution in Chengdu city. Food items and quantities were collected at 8-14, 24-28, 32-36 weeks of gestation by using the 3-day 24-hour dietary recall and energy intakes were calculated. Dietary patterns during the second trimester were established by factor analysis and factor scores were calculated. The weight of pregnant women was measured at 8-14, 24-28 weeks of gestation and 1 week before delivery, and the total GWG and the GWG rates in the second and third trimesters were calculated. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyze the association between dietary patterns and GWG. RESULTS: A total of 1 004 samples were included. Three dietary patterns were identified: Milk-egg-whole grain pattern, Beverage-dessert pattern and Traditional pattern. The average total GWG was (13.2±4.5) kg. The average weight gain rate was (0.4±0.2) kg/week in the second trimester. The average weight gain rate was (0.5±0.3) kg/week in the third trimester. After adjusting for confounding factors including maternal age, body mass index before pregnancy, dietary energy intake, physical activity, multiple linear regression analysis showed that the factor score of Beverage-dessert pattern was positively associated with the total GWG and the weight gain rate in the third trimester ( ß=0.370, 95% confidence interval ( CI): (0.103, 0.636), P=0.007; ß=0.014, 95% CI: (0.000, 0.027), P=0.049, respectively), and the factor score of Traditional pattern was negatively associated with the total GWG ( ß=-0.285, 95% CI: (-0.555, -0.015), P=0.039). There was no association between the Milk-egg-whole grain pattern and GWG. CONCLUSION: Dietary patterns during the second trimester of pregnancy are associated with GWG. The Beverage-dessert pattern may increase the total GWG and weight gain rate in the third trimester. The traditional pattern may help control the total GWG.

[Associations of Dairy Consumption during Pregnancy and Neonatal Birth Body Mass: a Prospective Study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dairy product intake during pregnancy in Southwest China and to explore its relationship with neonatal birth body mass. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted to select healthy singleton pregnant women at 8-14 weeks of gestation in a maternal and fetal health care institution in Chengdu City. Dairy product consumption during the first, second, third trimester of pregnancy were collected by 24-hour dietary recalls at 8-14 weeks, 24-28 weeks and 32-36 weeks of pregnancy, respectively, and the total milk intake and milk consumption rate were calculated. According to the dietary guidelines for Chinese pregnant women (2016), the recommended amount of milk (300 g/d) was used as the standard to calculate the compliance rate. The respondents were divided into three groups: no dairy consumption group, insufficient dairy consumption group and suitable dairy consumption group. The gestational age at delivery and neonatal birth body mass were collected by the hospital information system. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between milk intake during pregnancy and neonatal birth body mass. RESULTS: A total of 962 pregnant women were included. The average milk intake in the first, second and third trimester of pregnancy were 125.0 (0, 236.1) g/d, 208.3 (0, 284.7) g/d and 250.0 (150.0, 416.7) g/d, respectively, with the compliance rates of 12.6%, 33.2% and 48.4%, respectively. The average neonatal birth body mass was (3 225.0±399.8) g. The incidence of small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA) was 8.3% and 3.9%, respectively. Compared with no dairy consumption group in the second trimester of pregnancy, the risk of SGA was lower in suitable dairy consumption group (odds ratio (OR)=0.786, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.385-0.976). Compared with no dairy consumption group in the third trimester of pregnancy, the risk of SGA was lower in insufficient dairy consumption group and suitable dairy consumption group (OR=0.672, 95%CI: 0.477-0.821 and OR=0.497, 95%CI: 0.116-0.807, respectively). No association was observed between milk intake in the first trimester and neonatal birth body mass, and milk intake in the second and third trimester of pregnancy was not associated with the risk of LGA. CONCLUSION: Insufficient milk intake of pregnant women is a significant problem in southwest China and needs to be improved. Milk intake during pregnancy is associated with neonatal birth body mass, and increased milk intake in the second and third trimester of pregnancy may reduce the risk of SGA.

[Effect of Doxorubicin on abcb4 Gene Expression in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Embryos].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of doxorubicin (DOX) on abcb4 gene expression and the role of abcb4 gene in multidrug-resistance. METHODS: Zebrafish embryos were treated with 2 mL/L DMSO, 10 µmol/L DOX and 2 mL/L DMSO+10 µmol/L DOX, respectively. The zebrafish embryos treated with Eggwater served as controls. Exposures started at 4 to 16 cell stage of the embryos and terminated 120 hours post fertilization (hpf). The expression of abcb4 gene in zebrafish embryos was examined on 48, 72, 96, and 120 hpf with whole-mount in situ hybridization (WISH) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). RESULTS: Compared with the controls, DOX-exposed embryos had higher level of abcb4 gene expression (P < 0.05), but not for abcb5 gene. WISH showed that abcb4 gene was expressed in the guts of zebrafish embryos. However, those exposed to DOX also showed strong WISH signals in the brain and heart. CONCLUSION: Doxorubicin increases the expression of abcb4 gene in zebrafish embryos. abcb4 gene may play an imoortant role in multidrug-resistance.

Reversibly Cross-Linked Isoporous Membranes Fabricated by the Recyclable Block Copolymer with Pendent Dithiolane Groups.

The reversible formation and cleavage of disulfide bonds under physical/chemical stimuli make it a valuable motif in constructing dynamically cross-linked materials. In the present work, the block copolymer bearing pendent dithiolanes was synthesized and fabricated into isoporous membranes by the combination of self-assembly and nonsolvent-induced phase separation strategy. The cross-linking within the membrane was realized by the thiol-initiated ring-opening cascades of cyclic disulfides. Successful formation of disulfide bond networks within the isoporous membranes was proved by the Raman spectra, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and rheological analysis. The cross-linking in membranes was further demonstrated by the notably improved toughness and obviously enhanced swelling resistance to acid/alkaline solution as well as organic solvents. Importantly, the cross-linked isoporous membranes were fully dissolvable in solution containing dithiothreitol, which enabled the complete cleavage of disulfide bonds and successful recovery of the block copolymer that was able to be repeatedly fabricated into isoporous membranes with pore sizes identical to membranes prepared from the freshly synthesized copolymer. Our results indicate that dynamically cross-linked isoporous membranes with improved durability and good recyclability can be custom-made by simply incorporating active dithiolane moieties into self-assembling block copolymers.

1T-VS2@V2O3 Synergistic Nanoarchitecture-Based Lamellar Clusters as the High Conductivity Cathodes of Thermal Batteries.

Thermal batteries are solid-state, thermally activated batteries with long storage times and high reliability. FeS2 is used as a cathode material commonly, but the high internal resistance and low voltage platform limit the improvement of battery performance. Herein, the 1T-phase vanadium disulfide (VS2) is prepared via the scalable hydrothermal method and applied to thermal battery cathode materials for the first time. 1T-VS2 lamellar flower clusters have high electronic conductivity (1.583 S cm-1) at room temperature, which is 75 times higher than FeS2 (0.021 S cm-1). Mechanism analysis shows that 1T-VS2@V2O3 can be formed based on the part of 1T-VS2 being oxidized to V2O3 at the discharge temperature. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of vanadium sulfide and vanadium oxide as a cathode for thermal batteries enhanced specific capacity (292.4 mA h g-1) and mass energy density (572.5 W h kg-1) when cutoff voltage is 1 V. Additionally, the discharge results indicate that the cells utilizing 1T-VS2 cathodes provided a higher voltage platform of 2.11 V than 1.84 V for FeS2. This impressive work can offer a good strategy for boosting cathode materials for a high-performance thermal battery.

Comprehensive molecular characterisation of the complete mitogenome of Ergasilus tumidus and phylogenetic relationships of Copepoda inferred from mitogenomes.

Although parasitic copepods of the genus Ergasilus von Nordmann, 1832 are globally distributed parasites of fish, their phylogenetic relationships with other Copepoda are not clear, and the characteristics of their mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) are not thoroughly understood. The objective of this study was to address these knowledge gaps by sequencing the complete mitogenome of Ergasilus tumidus Markevich, 1940. The complete mitogenome (GenBank Acc. No. OQ596537) was 14,431 bp long and it comprised 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNAs, two tRNAs, and two control regions (CRs). Phylogenetic analyses, conducted using concatenated nucleotide and amino acid sequences of 13 protein-coding genes, produced two partially incongruent topologies. While the order Calanoida was consistently resolved as the sister lineage to the other three orders, topological instability was observed in the relationships of the orders Cyclopoida, Siphonostomatoida and Harpacticoida. Siphonostomatoida clustered with Cyclopoida in the nucleotide-based phylogeny, but with Harpacticoida in the amino acid-based phylogeny. The latter topology conforms to the widely accepted relationships, but we speculate that the former topology is more likely to be the correct one. Our study provides a complete mitogenome sequence of E. tumidus, which helps us better understand the molecular evolution of the genus Ergasilus. Additionally, we suggest a different perspective on the controversial phylogenetic relationships among Siphonostomatoida, Cyclopoida and Harpacticoida, diverging from previously accepted views.

Synthesis of cellulose nanofiber/polysiloxane-polyurea composite materials with self-healing and reprocessing properties.

Inspired by the self-recoverability ability of organisms, various self-healing materials have been developed. However, most reinforced fillers are faced with the problem that mechanical strength and self-healing efficiency of materials cannot be improved simultaneously. Here we first prepared new polysiloxane-polyurea (PDMS-PU) and used it as matrix resin to prepare cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/PDMS-PU composite materials with high mechanical properties. CNFs increased the tensile strength of PDMS-PU by 38.87 % and CNF/PDMS-PU composite materials maintained the great bending resistance, transparency and reprocessing properties of PDMS-PU. Moreover, the introduction of CNFs did not reduce the self-healing efficiency of PDMS-PU, and PDMS-PU containing disulfide bonds with CNF content of 1 % (CNF/PDMS-IPDI-S-1 %) with healing efficiency of 95.58 %, and the tensile strength after three recycling processing was still as high as 92.55 % of the original. CNFs reinforced PDMS-PU composite materials are expected to replace PDMS materials in advanced engineering fields that require high strength durability and good formability.

Efficacy and safety evaluation of complete intrafascial prostatectomy in suspected prostate cancer patients with dysuria: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Suspected localized prostate cancer (PCa) patients with dysuria Complete intrafascial prostatectomy (CIP) can remove the whole prostate gland with the maximal retain of adjacent normal tissues around the prostate, and can be applied in some suspected localized prostate cancer (PCa) patients with dysuria. However, precious few studies have assessed the efficacy and safety of CIP in these patients without preoperative needle biopsies. Methods: In this retrospective single-arm cohort study, all 22 suspected PCa patients with dysuria who underwent CIP at our hospital were enrolled. The clinical data including age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), free-serum PSA, prostate volume, perioperative and postoperative complications were collected. The PSA level at 6 weeks after CIP and recoveries of urinary continence and erectile function were acquired in the follow-up procedures, and were used as the main measurements of efficacy and safety for CIP respectively. Results: The patients had an average age of 71.91±8.29 years and an average preoperative PSA level of 10.75±4.25 ng/mL. The operations for all 22 patients were successfully completed. The average operation time was 135.20±41.44 min (range, 40.0-215.0 min), and the average blood loss volume was 128.64±145.09 mL. In total, 17 patients (77.27%) had PCa confirmed by postoperative pathology, and 5 patients (22.73%) had benign prostatic hyperplasia. The PSA level dropped to 0.010±0.004 ng/mL at 6 weeks after surgery. According to the loose criteria to assess urinary incontinence, the patients achieved continence rates of 63.6% immediately after the operation, 95.5% at 1 month, and 100% at 3 months. According to the strict criteria, the continence rates immediately, and at 1, 3, 6, and 9 months after surgery were 27.3%, 63.6%, 90.9%, 95.5%, and 100%, respectively. None of the patients complained of urinary obstruction symptoms after surgery. Before CIP, all the patients had erectile dysfunction and an International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) score of 9.64±5.91. After surgery, the patients had IIEF-5 scores at 3, 6, and 12 months of 5.45±4.43, 6.95±5.30, and 7.57±5.69, respectively. Conclusions: Although the study had some limitations, CIP may be a prudent option for patients with suspected localized PCa who also present with dysuria.

Metformin attenuates multiple myeloma cell proliferation and encourages apoptosis by suppressing METTL3-mediated m6A methylation of THRAP3, RBM25, and USP4.

Based on the results of epidemiological and preclinical studies, metformin can improve the prognosis of patients with malignant tumors. Studies have confirmed that metformin inhibits multiple myeloma (MM) cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis. Nevertheless, the specific mechanism remains to be elucidated. MM cells were intervened with different doses of metformin to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis. Western blotting and RT-qPCR were employed to assess the expression of METTL3, METTL14, WTAP, FTO, and ALKBH5 after metformin intervention. The microarray dataset GSE29023 was retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and calculated using the R language (limma package) to authenticate differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery (David) was applied for GO annotation analysis of DEGs. Subsequently, the string database and Cytoscape software were applied to construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) and DEM hub gene networks. Bioinformatics analysis and MeRIP were applied to predict and test METTL3-mediated m6A levels on mRNA of THRAP3, RBM25, and USP4 in METTL3 knocked-down cells. Then rescue experiments were performed to explore effects of METTL3 and THRAP3, RBM25, or USP4 on cell proliferation and apoptosis. The effect on MM cell xenograft tumor growth was observed by injection of metformin or/and overexpression of METTL3 in in vivo experiments. Metformin decreased cell proliferation and encouraged cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Global m6A modification was elevated in MM cells compared to normal cells, which was counteracted by metformin treatment. Furthermore, THRAP3, RBM25, and USP4 were identified as possible candidate genes for metformin treatment by GSE29023 data mining. METTL3 interference impaired m6A modification on mRNA of THRAP3, RBM25, and USP4 as well as expression levels. The mRNA stability and expression of THRAP3, RBM25, and USP4 was decreased after metformin treatment, which was reversed by METTL3 overexpression. THRAP3, RBM25 or USP4 knockdown reversed the assistance of METTL3 overexpression on the malignant behavior of MM cells. Finally, upregulation of METTL3 was shown to exert facilitative effects on xenograft tumor growth by blocking metformin injection. The present study demonstrates that metformin can repress the expression of THRAP3, RBM25, and USP4 by inhibiting METTL3-mediated m6A modification, which in turn hamper cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis.Abbreviations: multiple myeloma (MM), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), differentially expressed genes (DEGs), database for annotation, visualization and integrated discovery (David), protein-protein interaction (PPI), epithelial­mesenchymal transition (EMT), methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3), methyltransferase like 14 (METTL14), wilms tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP), methyltransferase like 16 (METTL16), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), non-small lung cancer (NSCLC), glioma stem cells (GSCs), normal bone marrow-derived plasma cells (nPCs), false discovery rate (FDR), biological process (BP), optical density (OD), horseradish peroxidase (HRP), M6A RNA immunoprecipitation assay (MeRIP).